The Director of Church Life and Nurture, Rev. Andrew Shardow, has called for an end to discrimination against persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG), urging the Church to move from rhetoric to practical, everyday inclusion.
Speaking at the publicity launch of the PCG Disability Inclusion Initiative, Rev. Shardow said the programme seeks to remind every Presbyterian, both in Ghana and abroad, that the Church acknowledges the dignity of persons with disabilities. “Every Presbyterian must be disability friendly,” he stressed, adding that inclusion must be demonstrated through concrete action, not mere statements.
He described the launch as “a wonderful and happy day,” but cautioned that PWDs have endured insensitive language, exclusion and systemic neglect for far too long. He said the church’s mission, to uphold the centrality of the Word of God and pursue holistic ministry through the Holy Spirit, must be reflected in daily practice.
“Holistic ministry demands attention to every vital part of worship and community life,” he said. “Marginalised groups cannot exist where holistic ministry is truly practiced. We cannot allow our systems, structures and policies to entrench the sin of neglect.”
Rev. Shardow explained that the church’s intentional commitment to inclusion led to the formation of the Committee on Disability, mandated to operate at all courts of the church. After its establishment, the PCG Disability Policy was disseminated across presbyteries, districts and congregations to guide implementation.
To strengthen the rollout, he said the national committee has initiated two major activities: a national training seminar for presbytery disability committees and prospective members, and the publicity launch of the Disability Policy and the committee’s ongoing work.
“We are here to make a statement, to educate, to improve and sharpen our skills, and to ensure that our church becomes physically and socially disability friendly. We do not intend to merely talk about inclusion; we are taking the necessary actions.”
Rev. Shardow reaffirmed the church’s resolve to embed disability inclusion in its worship, programmes and administrative structures.
By Jerome Otchere
